Defence experts warn replacement jets can’t arrive in time, with blame directed at Starmer, Treasury and MoD.The Red Arrows could face years on the ground after the current fleet retires, defence sources have warned, following delays to government plans to procure a replacement aircraft.
The delay
Concerns have been raised after the Government’s Defence Investment Plan, published just days ago, arrived roughly 12 months later than expected, leaving what insiders describe as an extremely tight window to secure new jets before the RAF’s ageing Hawk aircraft are retired in 2030. The Hawk’s engines are now more than 40 years old.
Tim Ripley, editor of Defence Eye, told Mail Online that the timescale involved in procuring new aircraft typically far exceeds what remains before the 2030 deadline. “You are looking at a four-year-plus time scale from signing on the dotted line with the manufacturer to a working jet being delivered to the RAF,” he said.
Ripley added that the Red Arrows’ specific requirements would extend that timeline further still. “The Red Arrows requirement throws in added complications,” he said. “After the basic conversion to the aircraft, to do aerobatic flying, pilots would need a period of rehearsals and training to get ready for displays. On top of that the jets would need to go through the stringent RAF safety trials. Most experts would say this is almost impossible to do in the time the Red Arrows have left on the Hawk.”
Criticism of the Government
Retired Wing Commander Andrew Brookes was similarly critical, telling Mail Online that the 2030 deadline was now unachievable and blaming successive delays on the Ministry of Defence, the Treasury and the Prime Minister. “I don’t think they have a chance of getting the new aircraft for Red Arrows by 2030 if they have a competition and go to the market,” he said. “No one gripped this and everyone from the MoD, the Treasury and Keir Starmer just sat on their hands, leading to this mess.”
The RAF’s response
Responding to the concerns, an RAF spokesperson told GB News that the Red Arrows remained a source of pride for the service. “The Red Arrows are known globally for their world-class precision, speed, and teamwork,” the spokesperson said. “Through the Defence Investment Plan, we are investing £360 million into a new fast-jet training system, which allows the Red Arrows to replace the ageing Hawk aircraft. The programme will move quickly and aim to avoid any potential capability gap.”
GB News reported that the training programme remains ongoing, with no final procurement decisions yet made, and that reaching the 2030 target for replacement aircraft is currently regarded within the programme as an “aspiration” rather than a guarantee.
Not everyone shares the same level of concern. Retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell argued that while the Red Arrows were an important asset for the RAF, any potential gap in service could be managed. He noted that the team had previously been stood down earlier in its history before successfully returning to active display duties.
Ongoing tour
The warnings come as the Red Arrows continue a tour of the United States marking 250 years of American independence. On Saturday, the aerobatic team performed over New York, trailing red, white and blue smoke past the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center.
